Dr. Srisha Rao, MD

Dr. Srisha Rao, MD is a Cardiology specialist at the Cardiovascular Institute of Central Florida in Ocala, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive cardiovascular care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is committed to partnering with patients to create personalized plans for long-term wellness. Your cardiologist is your primary partner in preventing heart disease and stroke, collaborating with you to create a long-term health plan, coordinate essential screenings, and manage cardiovascular risk factors for a lifetime of wellness. She serves all ages, focusing on proactive health and risk reduction, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (352) 520-2684 to schedule.

Dr. Srisha Rao, a 53-year-old cardiology specialist with 30 years of experience, is affiliated with Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center, Munroe Regional Medical Center, and HCA Florida Citrus Hospital. She earned her medical degree from Gandhi Medical College and completed residency training in Cardiology at Catholic Medical Center Of Brooklyn And Queens, followed by fellowship training in the same institution, further specializing her expertise in comprehensive patient care. Dr. Rao is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and her approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine. She strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Srisha Rao provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Srisha Rao is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Srisha Rao can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Srisha Rao provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Atrial Flutter: Managing atrial flutter effectively through medication or other treatments helps lower your risk of blood clots and subsequent strokes, protecting your long-term heart health.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Managing cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and smoking can significantly reduce your chances of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a dangerous condition affecting the main artery.
• Noninfective Endocarditis: Preventing damage to your heart valves through proactive management of conditions like high blood pressure or rheumatic fever can significantly reduce your risk of developing noninfective endocarditis.
• Heart Valve Disorders: Preventing heart valve disease progression involves proactive lifestyle changes and medical management, significantly reducing the risk of future cardiac events.
• Heart Attack (STEMI): A heart attack, specifically a STEMI, is a serious blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle, highlighting the critical need for early detection and lifestyle changes to prevent future events.
• First Degree Heart Block: Understanding and managing first-degree heart block through regular monitoring and healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce your risk of developing more severe arrhythmias.
• Arrhythmias: An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat that, if detected early and managed properly, can help prevent serious heart problems like stroke or heart failure.
• Rheumatic Tricuspid Disease: Protecting your heart from rheumatic tricuspid disease starts with preventing rheumatic fever through early diagnosis and treatment of strep throat, demonstrating how proactive health care significantly reduces cardiovascular risks.
• Nonrheumatic Tricuspid Disease: Managing risk factors like high blood pressure and heart infections is crucial in preventing or slowing the progression of nonrheumatic tricuspid disease.
• Cardiomyopathy: By addressing risk factors and seeking timely medical care, you can significantly reduce the severity of cardiomyopathy and improve your overall heart health and quality of life.
• Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Early detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is key to preventing long-term heart damage and improving your overall cardiovascular health through timely treatment and management.
• Unstable Angina: Experiencing unstable angina means your heart isn't getting enough blood, emphasizing the need for proactive lifestyle changes and medical management to reduce your risk of future heart problems.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Srisha Rao offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Cardiovascular Diagnostic Test: Protecting your future starts with a cardiovascular diagnostic test, a simple procedure that can detect early signs of heart disease or stroke, enabling proactive treatment.
• Dobutamine Thallium Stress Test: As part of your heart health journey, a dobutamine thallium stress test can reveal if your heart is getting enough blood, enabling early detection and management of potential problems.
• Arrhythmia Screening: Take a proactive step towards heart health with arrhythmia screening—it checks for abnormal heart rhythms that could indicate underlying conditions.
• Cardiac Catheterization (incl. Coronary Angiography): This procedure involves a thin tube inserted into your blood vessels to visualize your heart and coronary arteries, helping identify potential problems before they cause serious symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Cardiovascular Stress Test: Take a proactive step towards heart health with a cardiovascular stress test; it checks how well your heart functions during physical activity to identify hidden risks of heart disease or stroke.
• Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias: Cardiac ablation is a procedure that can help prevent dangerous heart rhythms by correcting abnormal electrical signals in your heart.
• Cardiac Catheterization with Robotic Assist: Taking charge of your heart health starts with a cardiac catheterization with robotic assist, a sophisticated procedure that helps doctors pinpoint blockages in your arteries, minimizing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
• Tilt Table Testing: Tilt table testing is a non-invasive procedure that helps identify the cause of fainting or dizziness, potentially preventing serious heart-related complications.
• Structural Heart Disease Evaluations and Treatment: Take control of your heart health by scheduling a structural heart disease evaluation; it helps identify structural issues, enabling early intervention and a better prognosis.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG is a crucial preventative measure for identifying silent heart conditions before they cause symptoms, giving you the opportunity to take proactive steps to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
• Cardiac Imaging: To proactively safeguard your heart health, cardiac imaging provides a visual assessment of your heart's structure and function, enabling early detection of issues such as blockages or weakened areas, leading to timely intervention.
• Coronary Angiogram: As part of your preventative care, a coronary angiogram offers a clear picture of your heart's blood flow, helping your doctor develop a personalized plan to manage your cardiovascular risk factors.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Cardiology in Florida.

Dr. Srisha Rao is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By working closely with a cardiologist to manage atrial flutter, a patient significantly reduced their risk of stroke, gaining peace of mind and confidence in their heart health.
• By understanding and managing cardiovascular risk factors, a patient proactively reduced their risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm, gaining peace of mind and a healthier future.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Cardiovascular care with Dr. Srisha Rao:

What is a Cardiologist, and when should I see one?

A cardiologist is a medical expert specializing in the heart and blood vessels. You should see a cardiologist if you experience symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, have a family history of heart disease, or have risk factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol that require expert management.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Srisha Rao?

Your first visit with Dr. Rao will be a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. We will review your medical and family history, perform a physical exam, and obtain an EKG. We will also discuss lifestyle and risk factors to create a personalized heart health plan for you.

What are the most important things I can do to prevent a heart attack?

Taking control of your cardiovascular health is within your reach. Knowing and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol, not smoking, regular physical activity, and a heart-healthy diet are key. These steps empower you to significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack.

What is the difference between 'good' (HDL) and 'bad' (LDL) cholesterol?

LDL, or "lousy" cholesterol, builds up plaque in your arteries, potentially causing blockages. HDL, or "healthy" cholesterol, helps remove LDL from the body. Dr. Srisha Rao helps manage both to prevent heart disease.

What is a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test evaluates how your heart functions during physical activity. You walk on a treadmill while your EKG and blood pressure are monitored. This non-invasive test helps identify potential blockages in your coronary arteries.

How is Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.) related to heart disease?

Peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.) is caused by atherosclerosis, the same process that leads to coronary artery disease. This plaque buildup affects the arteries in the legs and feet. Having P.A.D. is a significant warning sign, indicating a substantially increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

What is a cardiac ablation procedure?

A cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat certain types of fast heart rhythms. A specialist uses catheters to locate and eliminate the problematic heart tissue using heat or cold energy, often curing the arrhythmia.

What is a TAVR procedure?

TAVR, or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, is a groundbreaking, minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, TAVR is performed through a catheter, leading to a much faster recovery for eligible patients.

Cardiovascular Institute of Central Florida
2111 SW 20th Pl
Ocala FL 34471
Phone: (352) 520-2684

Dr. Srisha Rao, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1578548970

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Cardiology like Dr. Srisha Rao are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your cardiology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.